How to Install a Shower Heater

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Things You'll Need

  • Shower heater

  • Pipe wrench or adjustable plier

  • Teflon tape

  • Shower head

A shower heater is a tankless water heater installed at the shower head. This device heats the water as it moves through the water line immediately before it exits the shower head. It only provides hot water to the shower and provides little control of the temperature of the shower. The shower heater does have the advantage of some energy saving because the system does not heat stored water but rather only heats the water that is being used in the shower. Installation of the shower heater requires some skills as a plumber and an electrician.

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Step 1

Attach the shower heater unit to the pipe as it exits the wall at the normal position of a shower head. Use threaded fittings, wrapped with Teflon tap, to connect the shower heater to the pipe. Depending on the size of the shower head fitting and the pipe this may require a straight nipple or one that fits two different sizes. Use a pipe wrench, or any large adjustable wrench or plier, to tighten the connection.

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Step 2

Attach the desired shower head to the shower heater. The shower head can be a selection of the homeowner or possibly may be included with the shower heater. Allow water to run through the shower heater for at least 10 seconds before proceeding.

Step 3

Connect the shower heater to the proper electrical outlet. Follow all manufacturers' instructions for the connection. Some shower heaters plug directly into an outlet while others are connected directly to household wires in a junction box. Make sure the circuit meets the requirements of the shower heater.

Tip

Study the instructions with the shower heater before attempting installation. Various brands of shower heaters will have special electrical and plumbing requirements. Always follow manufacturer’s instructions when installing the shower heater.

Warning

Shower heaters heat the water as it flows through the device. The slower it flows through the shower heater the hotter the water will become. Most shower heaters allow the operator to control the temperature of the shower water by controlling the rate of flow of the water.

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